Each year, our team competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), where we have just 6 weeks to build and program a robot from scratch, going from wood and plastic prototypes to a computer model of the entire robot made using CAD software. Each January, a new challenge is released, forcing us to invent new designs and strategies to score as many points as possible. We compete at two events each season—the Greater Pittsburgh Regional and a regional in New York or Ohio, and 1 or 2 offseason events. Doing well at competitions requires a lot of organization and planning driven by students with the support of mentors.
SHARP has been competing in FRC since 2010, and we have made great strides to support and improve the program, growing from just 7 members to our current limit of 30. We have also improved our workspace and our in-house machining, going from a single basement machine shop to a much larger space with more tools including a metal lathe and CNC router.
FIRST Charged Up 2023
This challenge kicks off on January 7th, 2023. Check back later for more details!
FIRST Rapid React 2022
In RAPID REACT presented by The Boeing Company, two competing alliances are invited to process
cargo for transportation. Each alliance is assigned a cargo color (red or blue, based on alliance affiliation)
to process by retrieving their assigned cargo and scoring it into the hub. Human players assist the cargo
retrieval and scoring efforts from within their terminals. In the final moments of each match, alliance
robots race to engage with their hangar to prepare for transport!
Each match begins with a 15-second autonomous period, during which time alliance robots operate only
on pre-programmed instructions to score points by:
• taxiing from their tarmac and
• retrieving and scoring their assigned cargo into the hub.
In the final 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the match, drivers take control of the robots and score points by:
• continuing to retrieve and score their assigned cargo into the hub and
• engaging with their hangar.
The alliance with the highest score at the end of the match wins!
FIRST Infinite Recharge 2020
In INFINITE RECHARGESM, two Alliances work to protect FIRST City from approaching asteroids caused
by a distant space skirmish. Each Alliance, along with their trusty droids, race to collect and score Power
Cells in order to energize their Shield Generator for maximum protection. To activate Stages of the Shield
Generator, droids manipulate their Control Panels after scoring a specific number of Power Cells. Near
the end of the match, droids race to their Rendezvous Point to get their Shield Generator operational in
order to protect the city!
During the 15 second Autonomous Period, droids follow pre-programmed instructions. Alliances score
points by:
1. Scoring Power Cells in the Power Port
2. Moving from the Initiation Line
In the final 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the match, drivers take control of the droids. Alliances score
points by:
1. Continue to score Power Cells in the Power Port
2. Completing Rotation Control
3. Completing Position Control
4. Hanging from the Generator Switch
5. Getting the Generator Switch to the level position
The Alliance with the highest score at the end of the match wins!
FIRST Destination: Deep Space 2019
In DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE, Presented By The Boeing Company, we join two competing
ALLIANCES collecting samples on Planet Primus. Unpredictable terrain and weather patterns make
remote ROBOT operation essential to their mission on the planet. With only 2:30 until liftoff, the
ALLIANCES must gather as many CARGO pods as possible and prepare their spaceships before the
next SANDSTORM arrives.
T-minus 2:30: A SANDSTORM limits DRIVER visibility so ROBOTS independently follow preprogrammed instructions or are operated by human DRIVERS via video from their stations. ALLIANCES
score points by:
1. Deploying ROBOTS from Habitat (HAB)
2. Preparing ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP with HATCH PANELS
3. Loading CARGO pods into their ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP
T-minus 2:15: The SANDSTORM clears, and human operators take control of their ROBOTS.
ALLIANCES continue to score points by:
1. Preparing ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP with HATCH PANELS
2. Loading more CARGO pods
3. Returning the ROBOT safely to the ALLIANCE’s HAB
The ALLIANCE with the highest score at the end of the MATCH wins!
FIRST Power Up 2018
FIRST® POWER UPSM, the 2018 FIRST® Robotics Competition game, includes two alliances of video
game characters and their human operators who are trapped in an arcade game. Both alliances are
working to defeat the boss in order to escape!
Each three-team alliance prepares to defeat the boss in three ways:
1. Control the Switches and the Scale. Robots collect Power Cubes and place them on
Plates to control Switches or the Scale. When the Scale or their Switch is tipped in their
favor, it is considered owned by that Alliance. Alliances work to have Ownership for as
much time as possible.
2. Earn Power Ups. Robots deliver Power Cubes to their humans who then place them into
the Vault earning the Alliance Power Ups. Alliances use Power Ups to gain a temporary
advantage during the Match. There are three Power Ups available to teams: Force, Boost,
and Levitate.
-Force gives the alliance ownership of the Switch, Scale, or both for a limited period of
time
-Boost doubles the rate points are earned for a limited period of time
-Levitate gives a robot a free climb
3. Climb the Scale. Robots Climb the Scale in order to be ready to Face The Boss.
FIRST Steamworks 2017
Each three-team alliance prepares in three ways:
1. Build steam pressure. Robots collect fuel (balls) and score it in their boiler via high and
low efficiency goals. Boilers turn fuel into steam pressure which is stored in the steam tank
on their airship – but it takes more fuel in the low efficiency goal to build steam than the
high efficiency goal.
2. Start rotors. Robots deliver gears to pilots on their airship for installation. Once the gear
train is complete, they turn the crank to start the rotor.
3. Prepare for flight. Robots must latch on to their airship before launch (the end of the
match) by ascending their ropes to signal that they’re ready for takeoff.
Each match begins with a 15-second autonomous period in which robots operate only on preprogrammed instructions. During this period, robots work to support the three efforts listed above and
also get points for crossing their baseline.
During the remaining 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the match, the teleoperated period, student drivers
control robots. Teams on an alliance work together to build as much pressure and start as many rotors as
possible – but they have to be sure they leave enough time to latch on to their airship before the end of
the match.
FIRST Stronghold 2016
FIRST STRONGHOLDSM is played by two alliances of three teams each. Alliances compete against each other to breach their opponents’ defenses, known as outer works, and capture their tower. They score points by crossing elements of their opponents’ outer works, scoring boulders in their opponents’ tower goals, and surrounding and scaling their opponents’ tower itself.
FIRST STRONGHOLD is played on a 27 ft. by 54 ft. field. Each alliance commands one tower, five defenses,
and a ‘secret passage’ which allows their robots to restock on ammunition, called boulders.
One defense in each alliance’s set of five, the low bar, is a permanent part of the field. Three defenses are
selected strategically by the alliance prior to the start of their match. The final defense changes periodically
by audience selection.
Each FIRST STRONGHOLD match begins with a 15-second autonomous period in which robots operate
independently of human control. During this period, robots attempt to cross opposing defenses and score in
the opposing tower.
FIRST Recycle Rush 2015
RECYCLE RUSH is a recycling-themed game designed for the 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). It is played by two Alliances of three Teams each. Alliances compete simultaneously to score points by stacking Totes on Scoring Platforms, capping those stacks with Recycling Containers, and properly disposing of Litter, represented by pool noodles, in designated locations. In keeping with the recycling theme of the
game, all scoring elements used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.
Each RECYCLE RUSH Match begins with a 15-second Autonomous Period in which Robots operate independently of their drivers. During this period, Robots attempt to move themselves, their Yellow Totes, and their Recycling Containers into the area between the scoring platforms, called the Auto Zone. Additional points are awarded if the Yellow Totes are arranged in a single stack.
During the remaining 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the Match, called the Teleop Period, Robots are controlled remotely by student drivers located behind the walls at the ends of the Field. Teams on an Alliance work together to place as many Totes on their Scoring Platforms as possible. Alliances earn additional points for Recycling Containers placed on the scored Totes, with Recycling Containers at greater heights earning more points.
FIRST Aerial Assist 2014
The match begins with one 10-second Autonomous Period in which robots operate independently of driver.
Each robot may begin with a ball and attempt to score it in a goal. Alliances earn bonus points for scoring
balls in this mode and for any of their robots that move in to their zones. Additionally, each high/low pair of
goals will be designated “hot” for five seconds, but the order of which side is first is randomized. For each ball
scored in a “hot” goal, the Alliance earns additional bonus points.
For the rest of the match, drivers remotely control robots from behind a protective wall. Once all balls in
autonomous are scored, only one ball is re-entered in to play, and the Alliances must cycle a single ball as
many times as possible for the remainder of the match. With the single ball, they try to maximize their points
earned by throwing balls over the truss, catching balls launched over the truss, and scoring in the high and
low goals on the far side of the field.
Alliances receive large bonuses for “assists,” which are earned for each robot that has possession of the ball
in a zone as the ball moves down the field.
FIRST Ultimate Ascent 2013
ULTIMATE ASCENT is played by two competing alliances on a flat, 27 x 54 ft field. Each alliance consists of three robots. They compete to score as many discs into their goals as they can during a two (2)-minute and fifteen (15)-second match. The higher the goal in which the disc is scored, the more points the alliance receives.
The match begins with a fifteen (15)-second Autonomous Period in which robots operate independently of driver inputs. Discs scored during this period are worth extra points. For the remainder of the match, drivers control robots and try to maximize their alliance score by scoring as many goals as possible.
The match ends with robots attempting to climb on pyramids located near the middle of the field. The robot earns points based on how high it climbs.